Bringing American History to Life: Author Interview with Joan M. Hochstetler

You’ve now published several books, but what inspired you to write that first one? What made you decide to write your American Patriot Series?
The first book I wrote was inspired by a dream I had one night that intrigued me so much I knew I had to write the story to find out what in the world those people were doing! The story turned out to be a medieval epic tragedy—which I’m determined someday to update and publish!

The American Patriot Series was inspired by the 1982 TV movie “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellan. The characters were fantastic, the story so full of pathos, romance, improbabilities, and rolling-on-the-floor-laughing hysteria that I knew I had to write my own version. You might call it early fan fiction. Anyway, the characters resonated with my adventurous and romantic side, and my imagination ran wild.
 
The movie was set during the French Revolution, an event I had no interest in at all. However, it occurred to me that we here in America have our own Revolution! The twist was that I wanted my Sir Percy to be a woman and Marguerite’s character to be a man. The first worked out perfectly in Elizabeth Howard. As for the second, I quickly realized that the hero had to have a much stronger role in order to be a suitable counterpart to the heroine. In fact, he essentially had to be Ian McKellen’s character, Chauvelin. With a twist. And that’s how Jonathan Carleton was born.
 

How do you go about doing research for your books? What’s one of the most unique facts you’ve discovered in doing your research?
When researching I consult as many historical sources and bios as I can get my hands on, both printed and online. I especially look for the qualities people of the particular social and economic status I assigned them would have and how they would realistically act. Of course, I also consult the best resources on the historical events themselves so I get the facts right. Then as I write my characters, they begin to take form through their reactions to the historical events I immerse them in and the obstacles I put in their way. They always surprise and delight me as unexpected aspects of their natures surface.

I came across a unique or, more properly, unexpected fact when Bob Hostetler and I were working on the Northkill Amish Series. I had no idea of the extent to which the Moravians were involved in the French and Indian War. Some acted as emissaries and translators between the Indians and the British and Americans, particularly Christian Post and David Zeisberger. Their ministry to and advocacy for the native peoples was sacrificial and truly admirable.

You’ve also co-authored The Northkill Amish Series with Bob Hostetler. What made the two of you decide to write about your Hochstetler ancestors?
Bob and I are both direct descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, who immigrated to this country with his wife and children in 1738. The family settled in the Northkill Amish settlement at the base of the Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania on the border between the English settlements and French and Indian territory. Then in 1757 they were caught up in the French and Indian War when a band of Indians raided their farm, killing three members of the family and carrying Jacob and two of his sons into captivity.
 

The story is very well-known among the Amish and Mennonites. It’s considered an outstanding example of nonresistance because Jacob refused to fire at the attackers or allow his sons to do so. Our ancestors’ experiences resonated deeply with both Bob and me, and we separately became very interested in expanding their story into a fictionalized form. Ultimately we ended up joining forces to write it. As you can imagine, the scenes in which we portrayed what they must have gone through during and after the attack evoked deep emotion.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Writing is solitary work, and the feeling of isolation can be challenging to deal with. The friendship of fellow authors who’ve become dear friends and lovely reviews from fans are the best encouragement for me. They remind me that I’m not alone and help me to keep on writing the stories God lays on my heart even when the work feels like too heavy a burden.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you’ve used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
My book promotion budget is unfortunately small, so I depend heavily on networking and social media. I also use online book promo sites like Ereader News, which I’ve had good results with in getting not just clicks, but also sales. I also have accounts with Written Word Media and BooksGoSocial that run effective promotion at a reasonable cost. For creating professional graphics, I use BookBrush, which is a bit pricey but allows you to create some very nice promo images. You can even create book covers, business cards, and other materials on their platform.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
How difficult it is to find an audience, and how hard writing a novel worthy of one really is. This business isn’t for the faint of heart. Competition is fierce, and each author is just one little grain of sand in a very large ocean. It takes all the skill, ingenuity, and marketing savvy you can develop to hook readers and make them fans.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Write where your heart is. Research intensively using the best, most accurate sources. Strive to create compelling characters who will grip your audience, and then allow them to speak and act naturally as they reveal themselves to you. Seek God’s guidance in your work. It’s He who called you to it.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
I’ve learned not to try to force my characters to do what I want them to. That may sound strange, considering that they’re fictional! But every author knows that characters develop a life of their own and at times insist on veering dramatically away from the path you want them to follow. I’ve found that it’s always more entertaining, not to mention more realistic, when you allow them to behave impulsively and inconsistently just like real people do.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My current project is titled A Season for the Heart, which is set in the summer of 1945, at the end of WWII. It releases in November 2024.

Synopsis
Ellie Hershberger is sick and tired of her plain, nonresistant Mennonite life. Having graduated from high school, with World War II almost at its end, she longs to be a part of the wider world, unrestricted by the boundaries of her conservative farm community. Then without warning her dreams are shattered, and she's forced to question everything she thought she believed in.
Refusing to be baptized and join the Mennonite Church he grew up in, Judah Mast enlisted in the Marines and ended up in the South Pacific. Now, battle-scarred and crippled, Jude is forced to return to the last place he ever wanted to be. Yet in this most unexpected of places, where he believes he'll never be forgiven or accepted, he discovers a grace he never conceived of.
Can they find their way home to the land, to the Lord—and to each other?

Sounds intriguing. If you'd like to learn more about Joan's writing, here are a few links to get you started.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joan.hochstetler/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jmhochstetler/
Author website: www.jmhochstetler.com
American Patriot Series: www.theamericanpatriotseries.com
American Patriot Series blog: americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-M.-Hochstetler/author/B001HMLOD2

And here's a special bonus for my readers... Leave a comment below and next Wednesday, we'll pick one winner to get an ebook copy of Daughter of Liberty, Book 1 of The American Patriot Series.

The Business of Writing Books: Author Interview with Picture Book Author, Andrea Coke

You’ve now published three picture books, but what made you decide to start writing the first one?
During the lockdown, this crazy, impossible to accomplish idea popped into my head - attack my "someday, maybe" list. We all have one. That list of things you know you want to accomplish but have put off way too long. I call it the “Someday, Maybe” list.

I obsessed about all the things I regretted not doing. So I dusted off some old journals and Molly Morningstar, A Doll for Me was born. My daughter inspired this story. When she said to me “I wish I had a doll that looks like me.”, it broke my heart.

This story was my way of honouring those who’ve been underrepresented in children’s literature.

You publish as an indie author, but you’re not an illustrator. How did you go about finding an illustrator? What advice can you give in going through that process.
Finding an illustrator can be difficult but it’s something you want to get right. Do your research - read lots of children’s books to see what style of illustration appeals to you. Before I consider an illustrator for a project, I buy a copy of a book they’ve previously illustrated to see how they interpreted the author’s story. Are the illustrations flat? Do they show nuance, feeling, emotion? A single sketch only tells me one thing.

Whether your illustrator is new or experienced, you need to develop a relationship with them, have an explicit contract and treat the experience as something you both want to see succeed professionally.

When I saw the artwork of M. Fernanda Orozco, my illustrator, for my Molly Morningstar series, I followed her on social media. I knew right away that her style was what I was looking for. I told her that one day, I hoped to work with her. When my manuscript was ready, I reached out. And because we had a relationship, I trusted her ‘to tell’ my story.

One of your books, Molly on Ice was included in Canadian Children's Book Centre's newest edition of the Best Books for Kids & Teens. How did that come about? 
Early in the year, I submitted copies of my story for consideration to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). They informed me in November that Molly on Ice was selected for inclusion in their magazine. The selection committee, which is made up of educators, booksellers and librarians from across Canada, handpicks new books they think will appeal to children. As a new author, it was an honour to have my book included with other great Canadian books.

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I understood how important and intense marketing is. Writing the story is the easy part. Getting people to know about your book, otherwise known as marketing, is the hardest part. Late nights, lots of tea, expensive mistakes and a steep learning curve - that has been my experience. Don’t believe anyone who says self-publishing is the ‘easy’ way. It’s a business, your business, and you need to treat it as such.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Know your ideal reader. A mistake many self-published authors make is thinking their book is for everyone. It’s not. Focus your marketing efforts on who the book is for.

Find those in the author community who can help mentor you. Join author groups and writing communities. But weigh the information you receive - someone who hasn’t sold any books may not have the best advice for marketing. Finding people who don’t just make promises but actually show you the steps to achieve what you want, is priceless.

Laurie Wright is a children’s book author and marketing expert. She advised me to stop searching ‘how to sell your book’ and instead develop a marketing strategy to make my book brand stand out and attract my perfect readers. No more ‘Google University,’ as she calls it. I’m grateful for her advice.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Let’s start with the truth: I had no business publishing a book, yet I did. I’m an educator, speech pathologist, wife, busy mom of four - what did I know about setting up a website, uploading books to online platforms, etc? Nothing.

I can’t explain how my debut book won an award for best picture book. And was named one of Kirkus Reviews best Indie books of 2022. All I know is that being an award-winning author was impossible, until it wasn’t. I know it sounds cliche but here’s the truth: we have the potential to achieve what doesn’t seem possible.

As an author, you don’t need to follow every publishing trend or gimmick. You are the only one who can tell your stories. My journey, timelines and achievements might look different than others – and that’s okay! The best gift you can give yourself as an author is to stop comparing yourself to others. Learn from them but don’t copy them. Be yourself. That’s where success starts.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me some details? 
Three more books in the Molly Morningstar series are planned. Book 4, Music Show Surprise, is coming in spring. When Papa’s big day arrives, Molly Morningstar takes charge, creating surprises and laughter at every turn. My awesome illustrator is currently doing her magic with the illustrations. We’ll release the remaining books next year.

I’m also very excited about a new project under development. It’s a picture book that’s more than just a story —it's a fun intro into the magic of music, the wonders of STEM, and the richness of Caribbean culture. I can’t wait to share more!

That's all for today's interview. I can relate to so many of the comments Andrea made in this interview that fit in my own writing life. Thank you for your honest assessment. I think you made a great choice in your illustrator, too. Writing is a business and you constantly need to adapt to how to pursue it. 

I hope you'll check out Andrea's links, which I've included below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abcbooknook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcbooknookinc/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-Coke/author/B09DYZ3MFR 

Website: www.abcbooknook.com 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AndreaCokeAuthor

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive an ebook copy of Molly on Ice, a fun story that helps children learn that making mistakes is okay. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!

Special Event - Happening Now! Dozens And Dozens Of Free eBooks - Today Only

I've joined with 50 other authors to celebrate Lisa. Prysock's milestone of publishing 50 books. That's a great achievement. At this point I'm only at 10% of that goal. The fun starts today at noon EST and runs till 9:00 PM. Hope you'll drop by several times during the day to chat with the different authors, learn about their books, and enter into the 50+ giveaways.

Other than the hosts for this event, other authors are running their giveaways in 15 minute time slots. My time slot is 7:15 to 7:30 PM. I would really appreciate it if you drop by during that time to ensure that I won’t only be talking to myself.

First off, I'll be telling you about an inspirational romance box set called, Once Upon a Starry Night which features 12 novellas written by 12 different authors. I'm one of those twelve. In my story, Christmas Moonlight Melodies, Nikki and Michael were high school sweethearts who were brought together by music but their quest for music fame tore them apart. Now they're both home for the Christmas holidays. Can the magic of the Christmas season bring them together? Or will their love become another love song gone wrong? 

The box set is at a special preorder price of only $2.99 – that’s 25 cents per story! Once the book is live, the price will be $9.99.  Here’s the link to buy the set now: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Starry-Night-Collection-ebook/dp/B0C81PYJBF

I’ll also be giving away copies of my eBook cookbook called, Let's Share a Meal,. which features my favorite recipes and those from family and friends. It includes my choices for breakfast, lunch, snacks, soups, sauces, main dishes, and desserts. You'll be sure to find several dishes you'd like to try.

My other giveaways will include kids picture eBooks and a 52-week woman's devotional. I’ll be discounting my inspirational romance novel, The Sweetest Delights in Life, in both eBook in print formats.  I have no idea what the other authors are promoting only that knowing at least one of their giveaways needs to be Christmas themed. I'm going to be checking in from time to time myself to see what they have to offer as well.

 So if you're ready to join the fun, here is the link to take you there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500592113747995 You will need to join the group to participate in the giveaways, but that's as simple as one click with your mouse.

 

See you there!